Today the state of Mississippi is voting on an amendment that has the potential to drastically limit women's access to some forms of contraceptives, some fertility treatments, and abortions. And if passed, it could go on to affect more than just Mississippians; many pundits and experts are saying that this could have a serious impact on the future of women's rights all over the country.

The proposed law, called the Personhood Amendment and sometimes the "fetal personhood" amendment, would determine that a human life starts at fertilization and that an embryo has constitutional rights. As the Washington Post points out, this type of law has never been passed so it's hard to know what the implications would be, but many speculate it could mean the end of some birth control and morning-after contraceptives, even for rape victims. The Personhood Amendment could also make stem cell research illegal and assistance for women who are having trouble conceiving (like in vitro) very limited and in some cases, illegal. And it would most definitely mean that abortions would no longer be legal in the state of Mississippi.

Why would it outlaw birth control? Though birth control works by preventing ovulation so fertilization can't take place, it may also prevent a fertilized egg from implanting on the uterine wall. That fertilized egg could be considered a person, and therefore anything that blocks it, like hormonal birth control, could be made illegal under the Personhood Amdendment.

CNN is reporting that similar proposed laws may be in the works in other states including Florida, Ohio, and Montana.

We spoke with the President of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, yesterday and she encouraged men and women in Mississippi to make sure the Personhood Amendment doesn't pass. "It's very important to vote in Mississippi," she said. "This amendment would disallow women from using basic forms of birth control, it threatens in vitro fertilization, and access to legal abortions." In a statement on PlannedParenthoodAction.org, Richards also noted that the amendment could prevent pregnant women from getting some types of cancer treatments, if the treatment could affect the health of the fetus. She added, "[It] is such an extreme government intrusion into the private lives of women and families".

We encourage Mississippians to get out and vote today. This is a case in which a few voters truly could make the difference, as PublicPolicyPolling.org says that currently, 45% of voters are supporting the amendment and 44% are opposed. If you don't live in Mississippi, post this link on your Facebook wall, tweet it, and email it to your friends, asking them to forward it on to anyone they know who is from the state. The future of your rights depends on this.